For Richard Montgomery High's boys basketball team, last year was a culmination of three years of hard work by a large senior class, said Coach Scott Spear.

The team won the county's 4A East division and made it to the regional finals before being eliminated by Springbrook High.

Now that senior class, including the 10 leading players on last year's team, is gone. But that doesn't mean that any less is expected of this group.

"We've been a high level team in the county for years," Spear said. "While there will be a transition, they still expect to win a lot of games."

To do that, the team will work quickly to learn the offensive plays and defenses that Spear likes to employ.

"Everything needs to be taught to these guys," Spear said. "Last year, because it was three years of it, they knew what we were doing and they knew our system. This year it's a lot of teaching and getting used to things and each other."

While most of the players are relatively unknown right now, Spear expects big things from certain players. The team has several transfers with varsity basketball experience. The first is a junior transfer from Clarksburg, Paul Sewell. He's expected to be the starting point guard.

"He transferred to us the week before the season started," Spear said. "He's very fast with the ball, and he gets to the basket and draws fouls."

Sewell came off the bench for Clarksburg. Despite joining the team so late, Sewell feels that he's ready to play and to contribute.

"I'm just coming in and treating it like it's my own team," Sewell said. "I don't care how many points I get, as long as I help my team win."

Another player expected to play a large role is sophomore shooting guard Justin Senou.

"He led the JV in scoring last year," Spear said. "I expect him to eventually be one of the best players in the county."

The team's experience, though limited, will be bolstered by senior Hal Diane, who transferred back to RM this year from New York City. He's expected to be one of the primary big men on the team.

"The team is kind of quiet," Diane said. "I bring the fire, cause I'm always energetic. ... When I get in the game, I don't have feelings for anybody. I'll crash against anyone."

If the team has a weakness besides its inexperience, it's size. The Rockets expect to run a lot, using their speed to their advantage. If they can do that, the team might be able to reach its goals.

"We were division champs last year," Spear said. "We'd like to make a good run at defending that title. If we do that, it means we're one of the better teams in the county, and we want to defend that."